A PLANE-LOAD of exhausted and sunburned blind-daters arrived back in Manchester in the early hours today (Monday).

Nearly 200 Key 103 listeners, crew and DJs said goodbye to the Mediterranean pleasure island of Ibiza after a week of non-stop partying.

A steaming 35 degrees Centigrade and a life of lazing by the pool was swapped for Manchester's less predictable climate - but everybody was thankful for the chance of a rest.

The group of 160 Manchester lads and lasses jetted out to the sunshine island to take part in the world's largest blind date exercise.

The stunt, titled Plane Crazy, was organised by Manchester radio station Key 103 and details of the fun-filled event have been chronicled by M.E.N. reporter Nick Webster and photographer Dave Thompson.

The last day in the sun was rounded off with a booze cruise and barbecue where bleary-eyed DJ Michelle Dignan celebrated her 18th birthday.

Celebrations

Britain's youngest radio disc jockey started her celebrations early with colleagues, including fellow DJs JK, Joel and Darren Proctor, at Ibiza's Coastline bar.

And they did not make it home to bed until 9am the next day.

Unlike her older and less hardy colleagues, Michelle still made it to the beach barbecue with the listeners - but she got a soaking for her troubles.

Three of the blind date lads decided to help Michelle make a splash on her big day and to cheers from delighted onlookers they threw her in the swimming pool.

''I can't think of a better place to spend my 18th birthday,'' said Michelle, who ranks pop superstar Robbie Williams among her celebrity fans.

''Everybody has had a fantastic time in Ibiza.''

Success

Paul Coleman, marketing manager for Key 103, organised the trip. He said: ''Manchester can be proud of everyone who has come on the trip.

''It had been brilliant and there have been absolutely no problems.''

Already plans are in the pipeline for a Plane Crazy reunion to bring a little bit of Ibiza spirit back to Manchester.

''So many friendships have been made,'' said Paul.

''Everyone has got on together and gelled so well.

''And even though the blind dates did not work out there are quite a few couples coming back from the trip together.

''The moral of this story is Mancunians like to date but they don't like to do it blind!''